Almost three out of five technology workers are unhappy with their current job situations and are actively searching for new opportunities, according to a survey released today by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

The poll of nearly 1,000 US IT workers found that 58 per cent are currently looking for a new job. Four out of five said that their job search is 'somewhat' or 'very' active.

Higher pay is the number one reason why tech workers are scouring career websites and recruitment ads. The desire for more money was cited by 73 per cent of individuals seeking new positions.

The survey also found that nearly 60 per cent of IT professionals looking for new jobs have been with their current employer for three or more years, and 52 per cent have been in their current job role for at least three years.

"Tech workers who stayed put in their jobs over several years of uncertainty in our industry are clearly looking to move on now that we are in a period of growth," said Neill Hopkins, vice president of skills development at CompTIA.

"The survey findings are a mixed blessing for employers. Some organisations will lose the IT workers who have been responsible for building and maintaining their technology infrastructure.

"But employers looking to build internal IT expertise should be able to draw from a large pool of technology professionals eager for new challenges."